Citation

Chiang L, Howard A, Gleckel J, Ogoti C, Karlsson J, Hynes M, Mwangi M. Child Abuse Negl. 2018; 84: 45-52.

Affiliation

Division of Global HIV/AIDS & Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PO Box 606-00621 Nairobi, Kenya. Electronic address: MMwangi@cdc.gov.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.07.010

PMID

30041058

Abstract

The aim of the current analysis is to elucidate the link between childhood experiences of violence and physical intimate partner violence in young adulthood in a national survey of young Kenyan women. In 2010, we conducted the Violence against Children Survey in Kenya, collecting retrospective reports from 13 to 24 year old males and females (N = 2928). The analysis presented here focused on females aged 18-24 who ever had an intimate partner (n = 566). Young Kenyan women had statistically higher odds of experiencing physical intimate partner violence (IPV) in young adulthood if they had experienced any childhood violence (including sexual, emotional, or physical) [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.1 CI: 1.2-7.9, p = 0.02)], any childhood sexual violence (AOR = 2.5, CI 1.3-4.9, p = 0.006), or unwanted completed sex (including pressured or forced sex prior to age 18) (AOR = 4.3, CI: 2.3-8.3, p < 0.0001). Exposure to two (AOR = 3.9, CI: 1.2-12.2, p = 0.02) or three (AOR = 5.0, CI: 1.4-18.1, p = 0.01) types of violence in childhood was also associated with a significantly higher odds of experiencing adult physical IPV. Childhood violence is associated with increased odds of adult physical IPV among young women; efforts to prevent violence against children and provide appropriate care and support to adult survivors are critical to interrupt this cycle of violence.

Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Language: en

Keywords

Intimate partner violence; Kenya; Revictimization; Sexual violence; Violence against children